Made in Mishawaka

The Made in Mishawaka Mishawaka Education Foundation luncheon is held every June. It is a time to recognize and honor significant people to our Mishawaka community. These individuals and often the businesses they created in Mishawaka have had an AMAZING impact on our SCM students and the Mishawaka community. School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation is pleased to share with our attendees and YOU these individuals and their businesses that formed a community that makes Mishawaka a wonderful place to go to school, live and have a business!

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Anna Rohrer

Class of 2015"Mishawaka Schools have allowed me to explore many different areas of fine arts, practical arts, education...technology, academics, and sports. This has allowed me to develop and pursue my passions in a variety of areas, which has helped me grow in leadership, teamwork, and knowledge. The support the community has for its schools makes me proud to be a Caveman!"

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Ben Modlin

Class of 2004“During my years at Mishawaka High School, I discovered my knack for problem solving in my engineering classes. My engineering and technology teachers inspired me to follow in their footsteps and become an outstanding teacher. This inspiration guided me to Purdue University, where I studied Engineering and Technology Education. I attribute my success to my teachers, friends, and family that encouraged me along my path, and they make me proud to truly be Made In Mishawaka.”

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Bruce Chamberlin

Class of 1945“From my buggy cab days of watching the practicing MHS Band pass our Wenger Street home, until now, my ‘golden years’, my entire life has been entwined with pleasant Mishawaka happenings. One special legacy is having my son, and now a grandson, choose to follow my path of educating the MHS youth of this fine community.”

Pictured with Ed Chamberlin and Kaleb Chamberlin

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Cosimo Natali

Class of 1968“I am grateful for the foundation of skills and character development that was provided by the efforts of many teachers in the Mishawaka schools. This foundation prepared me well first for the rigorous math and physics based curriculum I faced as an engineering student. And later this foundation prepared me for 42 privileged years as a structural engineer in private practice enjoying challenging and diverse projects: museums, university buildings (academic, theater and athletic), professional sport facilities, office & hospital buildings, parking structures, and industrial and wastewater treatment plants. With the grace of God, this foundation also anchored my life as husband, father, coworker, friend and citizen in the community.”

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Deborah Fleming

Class of 1978“Thanks to Mishawaka Schools for providing me the education and opportunity to fulfill my athletic and professional dreams.”

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Dorothy "Dot" Wiekamp

Class of 1931“Mishawaka schools changed my life through my opportunity to meet Dar, my partner for a lifetime during my junior year at MHS life.”

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Ed Chamberlin

Class of 1977“Many of the most important people in my life are Mishawaka High School graduates: my father and mother, my wife, and my two sons. My dad (Bruce), my wife (Kim) and I have taught in the Mishawaka public schools for a total of 96 years, and my son (Kaleb) is taking us to the century mark!”

Pictured with Bruce Chamberling and Kaleb Chamberlin

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Erik Sanders

Class of 2011“Mishawaka schools prepared me for a successful college career that led to my dream job. The high school is also where I met my beautiful wife!” (Erik isgraduating from Rose Hulmann in three years and then to be employed with Microsoft!)

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Jack Davis

Class of 1951“I started in 1939 upon my enrollment at Twin Branch School and ended upon my graduation from MHS in 1951. My fourth grade teacher, Miss Schenck, influenced me the most, as she was the first teacher that stirred my interest in mathematics. My Beiger Junior High School teachers and MHS trades teachers help started my interest in a career in engineering and then on to manufacturing.” (Retired owner, Damon Products Company, Inc., Mishawaka, IN)

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Jacob Burnett

Class of 2011“Mishawaka High School prepared me to be successful both in and out of the classroom. Educators fanned the scholastic and philanthropic fire within me. I firmly believe that the success I have experienced in college has been largely in part to the efforts of those who thrive within the walls of Mishawaka school buildings.” (Lilly Scholar, Wabash College Graduate 2015 and Rhodes Scholar.)

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John Gleissner

Class of 1961“Mishawaka has impacted me greatly. Mishawaka, ‘The Best Hometown in America,’ where people make it what it was, is, and will be...a super City to be born, raised, work and live.” John, is retired from SCM schools after teaching and coaching over 4,000 students and serving on the City of Mishawaka Common Council for 24 years.

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John Moore

Class of 1948“My years at MHS presented an opportunity for me to take an idea and run with it. With the help of life long friends made there, I was able to help establish and direct the MHS Alumni which brings a lot of happiness to so many alumni everywhere.”

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Kaleb Chamberlin

Class of 2009“Mishawaka High School was a place that I could call home. A safe and friendly environment provided me with lasting memories, exceptional knowledge, and confidence to take on my future. I am now back home and loving every minute.”

Pictured with Ed Chamberlin and Bruce Chamberlin

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Michael Natali

Class of 1968“The education I received in Mishawaka prepared me very well for my studies in the College of Engineering at Purdue University. I found myself well-prepared for the rigorous curriculum and the demands put on me. Furthermore, I was comfortable, and I succeeded in classrooms filled with students from all around the country and the world. I believe this is a tribute to the education I had received while growing up in Mishawaka.”

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Remo Belli

Class of 1945Remo founded Remo, Inc. and introduced the first mass-produced and reliable synthetic drumhead in 1957. As the first name in drumheads, Remo shared as the MHS commencement speaker in 2001, “Anybody with good intentions and who develops a work ethic can do just about anything you put your mind to.”

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R.J. Reed

Class of 1970“Mishawaka High School provided me with the basic tools, both academically and socially, that have served me well throughout my life. I feel very fortunate to have had the experiences I did while in high school. I have achieved more in my career than I would ever have thought possible in my wildest dreams, in large part due to the basic skills provided by my experience at Mishawaka High.” (President, Reed Food Technology, Pearl, Mississippi)

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Robert Beutter

Class of 1953“My Mishawaka education prepared me to compete in college, law school and the workplace with people from other cities, states, and countries.”

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Rocco Germano

Class of 1940Rocco became a pioneer and pillar of the Mishawaka/South Bend area musical scene. He played violin in many esteemed orchestras. He founded the South Bend Youth Symphony and was awarded a member of the South Bend Community Hall of Fame.

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Judge Sarah Evans Barker

Class of 1961“Well before Betty Friedan launched her famous feminist treatise, when I was a student at MHS, I was beginning to sense about myself that I was happiest when I was engaged in leadership activities. In those days, leadership roles for women were primarily traditional ones limited to the home, the church and the schools. I longed for something else. Perhaps unwittingly but nonetheless importantly, my high school career provided and nurtured a wide variety of opportunities for leadership development, encouraging and reinforcing my fledgling efforts and confirming my abilities. Looking back now after half a century of service as a lawyer and a judge and the privilege that has been mine to provide leadership in various ways and at many levels, I appreciate even more the importance of those early influences, which set me on the path to a full, happy and productive life.” (U.S. District Court, Indiana Southern District, Indianapolis, IN)

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Sharon Versyp

Class of 1984“Mishawaka schools made such a difference in my life because it was a true family environment and the community truly supported the girls programs at the high school to better all of our lives.”

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Tom Irions

Class of 1969“Many times I have reflected fondly on my days growing up in Mishawaka and attending Mishawaka Schools from grades Kindergarten–12th. I have always considered myself fortunate to have had that Mishawaka experience. During which I acquired the basic education and skill sets that have served me well, both in life and in business.” (CEO and Owner, ASA Electronics, Elkhart, IN)

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Van Gates

Class of 1942“MHS was a great place for our class in 1942 and it’s even better now. We owe a lot to the dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff who have served so faithfully.”

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Mishawaka Education Foundation

PO Box 1593, Mishawaka, IN 46546

574-254-7701

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